The Biden administration is considering welcoming certain Palestinians to the U.S. as refugees as they seek to escape war-torn Gaza amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Senior officials in various federal U.S. agencies have discussed potential options to accept Palestinians from Gaza who have immediate family members who are American citizens or permanent U.S. residents. One proposal involves using the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program to bring Palestinians with U.S. connections who have escaped Gaza and entered neighboring Egypt. Another proposal would involve coordinating with Egypt to process additional Palestinians out of Gaza as refugees, as long as they have American relatives.
People from Gaza who pass eligibility, medical, and security screenings would qualify to be flown to the U.S. as refugees, with benefits including permanent residency, resettlement assistance, and a path to American citizenship. While the number of eligible individuals is expected to be relatively small, this lifeline could help some Palestinians seeking to escape the Israel-Hamas conflict. Hamas-run government’s Health Ministry estimates a high number of casualties in Gaza, with tens of thousands dead, injured, and displaced. The U.S. has already helped over 1,800 American citizens and their families leave Gaza, with additional assistance provided to vulnerable individuals like children with serious health issues.
The proposals represent a shift in longstanding U.S. government policy as the country has historically resettled few Palestinian refugees. Since the inception of the U.S. refugee program in 1980, less than 600 Palestinians have been resettled, out of over 400,000 refugees resettled in the past decade. In fiscal year 2023, the U.S. accepted 56 Palestinian refugees out of over 60,000 refugees resettled. To qualify as a refugee, applicants must prove they are fleeing persecution based on factors like nationality, religion, or political views.
The Biden administration’s plans to welcome Palestinian refugees, even in limited numbers, could face criticism from Republican lawmakers who may use the illegal immigration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border as a central issue in upcoming elections. Following Hamas’ attack on Israel in October, top Republicans voiced opposition to welcoming Palestinian refugees, citing concerns about antisemitism and potential national security risks. The administration has significantly increased refugee resettlement in recent years, with a goal of accepting up to 125,000 refugees in fiscal year 2024, after refugee resettlement hit record lows during the Trump administration.
Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began, the United States has played a role in assisting American citizens and their families to leave Gaza. Additionally, efforts have been made to help vulnerable individuals, such as children with serious health problems, escape the conflict zone and receive necessary care. The U.S. has also been the largest contributor of humanitarian aid to Gaza to address the dire conditions faced by the civilian population. The administration has emphasized the importance of achieving a sustainable ceasefire and a two-state solution, while rejecting any actions that would lead to the forced relocation of Palestinians from Gaza or the West Bank.
Overall, the potential plan to bring Palestinian refugees to the U.S. represents a humanitarian effort to provide assistance to those fleeing violence and persecution. While the number of eligible individuals may be limited, the proposed lifeline could offer hope and a new beginning to Palestinians seeking to escape the conflict in Gaza. The Biden administration’s commitment to refugee resettlement, despite potential criticisms, highlights the country’s dedication to upholding its values of compassion and assistance for those in need.
